We know that diet and exercise help us to stay healthy and please God; we do all we can to take care of our bodies, which are the temples of the Holy Spirit. However, when we get a pain that won’t go away and try our remedies, we go to the doctor. We do the same when our car starts making a funny noise or acting up; we take it to the garage to see what is wrong.
Our relationship with the Lord and other people deserves the same treatment. Our relationships with people, especially family and friends, are an excellent barometer of our relationship with the Lord. We hear voices in our heads (thoughts) when something happens between us and other people.
It can be anything a person says or does that hurt us. Of course, our immediate reaction is to defend ourselves, and this is very natural. However, I know from experience that voice is not the kindest. Stress and thoughts of anger push that person away from my heart. They also put a distance between me and the Lord. In the gospel, Jesus calls this voice the thief. He steals our hearts from the Good Shepherd.
It takes discipline and repentance to shut that thief down in my head and start listening to the Good Shepherd. His voice is filled with peace and thoughts of mercy for anyone who steps on our toes and worse.
In my heart, I hear Jesus saying from His Cross, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” So I want to make excuses for the people who hurt me like Jesus made excuses for me when I sin.
It is amazing how Jesus can turn something horrible into a healing moment when I listen to His voice and not the thief’s voice in my head. Then you know what happens? By the grace of God, I become a good shepherd and gate for people to be in a relationship with Jesus. Then I let Him pick up the ball.
Gospel Challenge:
What a tradeoff – pain and division with someone I love for peace and good relations with a potential enemy. But, of course, it all depends on who I follow, the thief or the Good Shepherd.
My friends, listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
February 4, 2025, Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations
February 3, 2025, Mark 5:1-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm Alone and Helpless. People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and
February 2, 2025, Luke 2:22-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm Faith’s Struggles. Tom Brady, an NFL quarterback, took his time to make an important decision. The big question before
February 1, 2025, Mark 4:35-41 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020125.cfm Do Not Be Afraid To Go Deep. I Will Raise You Up. One early spring morning, I was
4th Sunday in Easter April 30, 20233
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for 4th Sunday in Easter
April 30, 2023, Luke 24: 15-35
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/043023.cfm
Follow
We know that diet and exercise help us to stay healthy and please God; we do all we can to take care of our bodies, which are the temples of the Holy Spirit. However, when we get a pain that won’t go away and try our remedies, we go to the doctor. We do the same when our car starts making a funny noise or acting up; we take it to the garage to see what is wrong.
Our relationship with the Lord and other people deserves the same treatment. Our relationships with people, especially family and friends, are an excellent barometer of our relationship with the Lord. We hear voices in our heads (thoughts) when something happens between us and other people.
It can be anything a person says or does that hurt us. Of course, our immediate reaction is to defend ourselves, and this is very natural. However, I know from experience that voice is not the kindest. Stress and thoughts of anger push that person away from my heart. They also put a distance between me and the Lord. In the gospel, Jesus calls this voice the thief. He steals our hearts from the Good Shepherd.
It takes discipline and repentance to shut that thief down in my head and start listening to the Good Shepherd. His voice is filled with peace and thoughts of mercy for anyone who steps on our toes and worse.
In my heart, I hear Jesus saying from His Cross, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” So I want to make excuses for the people who hurt me like Jesus made excuses for me when I sin.
It is amazing how Jesus can turn something horrible into a healing moment when I listen to His voice and not the thief’s voice in my head. Then you know what happens? By the grace of God, I become a good shepherd and gate for people to be in a relationship with Jesus. Then I let Him pick up the ball.
Gospel Challenge:
What a tradeoff – pain and division with someone I love for peace and good relations with a potential enemy. But, of course, it all depends on who I follow, the thief or the Good Shepherd.
My friends, listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
or .
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Tuesday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 4, 2025, Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 3, 2025, Mark 5:1-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm Alone and Helpless. People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Presentation of the Lord
February 2, 2025, Luke 2:22-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm Faith’s Struggles. Tom Brady, an NFL quarterback, took his time to make an important decision. The big question before
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
February 1, 2025, Mark 4:35-41 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020125.cfm Do Not Be Afraid To Go Deep. I Will Raise You Up. One early spring morning, I was
Categories
Send Us A Message